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Narendra Modi’s France visit Yields 20 Key Agreements

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Indian Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi’s visit to France yielded 20 key agreements thereby strengthening the bilateral ties between Indian and France since 1998. France is the first country along with Germany and Canada of the three G7 countries which Modi has visited on April 2015 tour.

Various visits by delegates and Ministers were executed by both countries during its bilateral ties that started in 1998.

France President Visit to India in 2013

During France President Francois Hollande’s visit on 2013 Feb 14-15, 4 main agreements were signed which were as follows

1.Cultural Exchange Programme
2.LOI (Letter of Intent) on strengthening of co-operation in the fields of Research and Education.
3.SOI (Statement of Intent) for long-term Space Co-operation.
4.Joint Statement to strengthen and follow-up co-operation in the railways sector.

There were other agreements on Education, Science & Technology sectors too.

List of 20 Agreements between India and France sector-wise are as follows

SectorAgreement between participating Organisations/CompaniesAgreement Key Points
Defence & Nuclear EnergyMoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between L&T and AREVAAimed at reducing cost to improve financial viability of Jaitapur project. It will provide transfer of technology and development of nuclear energy industry in India.
Pre-Engineering Agreement between NPCIL and AREVATo bring clarity on all aspects of the plant, so that they can optimise the risks even at this stage in the cost of the projects.
SpaceMoU between ISRO (Indian Space research Organisation) and CNES (French National Centre for Space Studies) on Megha TropiquesIndo-French Mega Tropiques Satellite launched through PSLV in 2011 Oct 11, to extend 2 more years for sharing and use of data from the satellite.
MoU between ISRO,CNES and ONERAKa- Band propagation experiment over Indian tropical regions
Programme Between ISRO and CNESCo-operation in fields of satellite remote sensing, satellite communications, satellite meterology, space sciences & planetaru explorations, data collection and location, spacecraft mission management, operations of satellite ground stations. To support joint earth observation mission, host payload opportunities and Mars exploration.
SportsMoU on Co-operation between Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of India and French Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs, Public Education and Community LifeCo-operation through exchange of experiences in sports medicine, institutional co-operation, development of practice of sports, support for participation of women and diabled in sports and management. Co-ordination of Sports federations, training of executives and establishment of National Institute of Sports in India based on France’s INSEP.
Economic RelationsMoU on the co-operation in the field of India’s Renewable Energy between Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and France’s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and EnergyTo encourage technical bilateral co-operation on new renewable energy by exchange of personnel, data, joint research, training of personnel and transfer of technology and know-how. It covers solar, tidal, wind, wave and bio-energy areas.
RailwaysRailway Protocol between India’s Ministry of Railways and French National Railway CompanyTo establish co-operation between both country’s Railways for semi-high speed rail and station renovations.
EnergyGuarantee Agreement with France’s Development Agency (AFD) and India’s Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)France’s AFD to finance India’s EESL
Culture, Heritage Conservation, Tourism, People to People ContactsAdministrative Arrangement between Indian Ministry of Culture and France’s Ministry of Culture & CommunicationTo promote Cultural heritage. Indian Cultural Heritage professionals training at INP, France. Conducting short training programs in India and France for development of cultural and scientific co-operation for conservation and restoration of heritage.
LOI on TourismFor sustainable bilateral tourism by ensuring safety of tourists while encouraging and sharing of expertise and best practices. Twinning of sites having historical, natural and cultural significance in both countries to promote tourism mutually.
LOI between India’s Archaeological Survey of India and France’s National Institute of Preventive Archaelogical Research (INRAP)Collaboration on preventive archaeology projects, training programmes for specialists of ASI & deployment of expertise in underwater archaeology.
MoU between School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi and National Architecture Institute in ParisJoint planning and geographical studies in both countries, while training of counterparts in Modern Urban and Regional Research on techniques of scientific methods of urban and regional planning, geography, environment, building engineering and management.
MoU between Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCN) and France’s National Association of Towns and Regions of Art, History and Cities (ANVPAH)To co-operate in the field of sustainable development, urban planning, heritage conservation & up-gradation of basic services.
Proposal for Twinning of historical monumentsTwinning of historical monuments.
VIE (Volunteer for International Experience) Programme in both countriesProvides Indian students to stay in France for 24 months and also provides 250 french students to stay in India for 24 months.
LOI on Ayurveda between Ministry of Ayush and University of StrasbourgTo undertake Ayurveda academic & research activities, possibility of collaborative research and conduct workshops and seminars for making Ayurveda as complimentary medicine in France.
Skill DevelopmentMoU between India’s National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) & France’s National Commission for Vocational Qualification (CNCD)Exchange of Information for maintaining both qualification registers, i.e., National Skills Qualification Framework of India and National Register for Vocational Certifications of France
science & TechnologyMoU on Co-Operation of India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) & France’s National Centre for Scientific research (CNRS)Cooperation by exchange of information in areas of applied mathematics, physics, ICT (Information & Communication technology), water resources, life sciences, astronomy, climate and energy sectors. To be achieved by meetings, seminars, workshops, exchange of personnel, establishing joint virtual laboratories and joint research centres.
MoU between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) & France’s CNRS and UPMCProposes to set-up National Institute of Marine Biology & Biotechnology in India with Hub & Spoke model network of laboratories in India’s marine regions from Andaman & Lakshadweep.

Knowledge is Wealth

  • France is 9th Largest Foreign Investor in India, with presence of almost 750 large French companies in India.
  • Indian Companies like L&T, TCS and Trans Asia Bio Medical executed acquisitions.